Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp: Who holds the edge in this iconic Premier League rivalry?

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will have their one last stretch in the Premier League before the latter takes a hiatus. A managerial rivalry like no other is about to contest another showdown at Anfield this weekend. 

Liverpool who are scheduled to host Manchester City, is undoubtedly on a mission to secure three points at home following a draw in the reversed fixture at Etihad. With only a single point separating both teams, whoever wins it, would likely win the title when the season ends. 

Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp: Head-to-Head Record

From a tactical point of view, Guardiola and Klopp have different approaches. Guardiola preferred a more constructed build-up sequence with pass after pass. Klopp, on the other hand, has been identified with his “heavy-metal football”, which relies on high intensity and pressing. 

Guardiola has won more games than Klopp in their record with five to four, and the rest of the six meetings ended draw. The upcoming encounter will be another stage for the two football geniuses in the English top-flight competition.

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The midfield area would be a key factor for both teams in this game. Liverpool has been going back and forth with a combination of Wataru Endo, Alexis MacAllister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. The trio were involved in The Reds’ latest festive in the Europa League, beating Sparta Prague 5-1. 

Football analyst Alex Keble wrote in his column for Premier League said: “Man City’s concentration of players in the middle column tends to suck teams infield, creating space for Jeremy Doku (No 11) to receive longer passes out to the left, as their average positions against Manchester United indicate.”

Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp: Mo Salah is available for the mega-meeting at Anfield

Liverpool have a major boost with the return of Mohamed Salah in February. The Egyptian has scored 11 goals during 19 meetings with City. He was also the player who scored more against Guardiola’s team than any other footballer. The Reds’ in-form striker Darwin Nunez will also favored to start another game with The Kop. 

On the opposite side, The Citizens will rely on their top scorer Erling Haaland, and the improving youngster Jeremy Doku. The two, according to Keble, will give tough work for MacAllister and Szoboszlai. 

Guardiola’s City has won at Anfield once, back in the 2020/21 season, something that Klopp has never done at Etihad. The only time Klopp won a league game at Etihad was when Manuel Pellegrini was still in charge in 2015.